Monthly Archives: March 2015

One bride-to-be will win an Alfred Angelo wedding dress at the Wedding Wonder Show on Sunday 29th March 2015.

Brides that are still searching for that dream dress should take a look at the amazing gown available to win at St James Park on Sunday. The Alfred Angelo wedding dress has been donated to the Wedding Wonder Show charity draw by Simplicity Weddings and entries into the draw will help raise money to build a school in Africa.

Just one bride will win the gown on the day, available in a size of their choice and everyone that enters will be giving to such a worthy cause.

About ten years ago, teachers Steve and Caroline Taylor from Northumberland went to The Gambia, Africa on holiday. During their trip they visited Siffoe Lower Basic School. After seeing the poverty and helplessness of the children, they decided that want to do something about it.

In the following years they have held various fund raising events and in doing so, received enough money to provide the school with a well and a kitchen so that they have access to clean water and a daily meals.

All of the money raised from the Wedding Wonder Show on Sunday will be going directly to the school. Other fantastic prizes will be available on the day including beauty products, wedding cakes, wedding entertainment, accessories and more.

On 27th and 28th March, designer Ian Stuart will hold his first ever sample sale with his bridal, mother of the bride and accessories collections.

Ian is one of the UK’s most awarded bridal wear designers. Renowned for paving the way in bridal and mother of the bride fashion with his off-beat originality and unique vision for colourful and contemporary wedding style.

Held at the beautiful Benjamin Franklin room at RSA house. London, brides, mothers and guests have the chance to own a completely original, one–off Ian Stuart design, as the label offers Ian’s design experiments to the public for the first time.

Along with ex-samples, and surplus stock in various sizes, and at up to 70% off, this is a must-go-to event for anyone getting married or going to a wedding.

I make no apology for the number of beautiful photos in this post – Kitty & Dulcie’s gorgeous Village Affair collection deserves to be shown off in all it’s glory!

Kitty & Dulcie are delighted to introduce their 4th bridal collection ‘Village Affair’. Six stunning new designs ranging from retro, short styles – which have become their signature – to an easy to wear full-length gown. Still keeping every dress priced below £400, Kitty & Dulcie remain the number one bridal company for affordability and for the fashion conscious.

This intricate, ivory lace, knee-length gown radiates feminine chic. A bust support strap inside the bodice ensures maximum comfort and allows the beauty of the sheer lace to shine out. Fastens at the back with an invisible zip.

Sheer beaded lace sleeves and bodice meet a satin waistband and the softest chiffon skirt, which falls gracefully into subtle pleats. The lightly padded bust has a built-in support strap and the V-shape back of the dress has an invisible zip.

A jaw-dropping head turner, this gown has major swoon-factor. The ivory beaded, panelled bodice has built-in bust support and the lace-beaded, full-circle skirt covers numerous layers of soft tulle and petticoats.

Bridesmaids will go dotty for this feminine, necktie halter dress with full skirt made from soft stretch 95% cotton. The polka-dot dress comes with two belts including a spotty and satin version. Kirstie fashioned one of the belts into an eye-catching bow hair accessory, which was then clipped into our model’s hair.

A wedding is the most important day in any woman’s life. However, as any bride will also know, the wedding day is not just about the bride, it’s important her bridesmaids are the centre of attention too.

As women, it’s no secret that we are often guilty of choosing glamour over comfort. Your bridesmaids need to be looking both ultra glamorous and feeling comfortable from dawn until dusk so they can focus on the bride and not worry about their outfit or their underpinnings.

With the arrival of the innovative new Multiback bra from lingerie label Wild Parsley, there is now a stylish, elegant and comfortable solution to wearing a bra with low backed or backless dresses.

The Multiback bra provides the security, comfort and support you expect of a traditional bra up to size 38E. Simply purchase one set of cups in your normal size and a back band from the extensive and expanding range that matches your bridesmaid outfit. The back bands are available in cotton and silk and a variety of colours and patterns. You can even add lace and crystal embellishments, when you want to make a feature of your back.

Each bra is finished with a slim ribbon of lace across the neckline to ensure the bra appears smooth under clothing. The cups are supplied with 2 shoulder straps and 1 halter strap, all of which can be adjusted for the perfect fit. The back band is secured to the cups underneath the arm on both sides by a traditional hook and eye fastening with 2 adjustment settings.

Plus, once the wedding day and bridesmaid duties are over, these bras can be worn again for another occasion. Not only versatile, the Multiback is also a savvy investment, as once you have purchased a set of cups you need only purchase more back bands to wear the bra with a multitude of different outfits.

I’ve featured Cakes by Beth on this blog before and I’m very pleased to be able to share with you her new 2015 collection, Be Different. Wedding trends come and go but whatever look or style you go for I think it’s important to have something of yourselves as a couple come through during the day.

Cakes by Beth’s new collection for 2015 is all about encouraging couples to really express their passions and personal style in their wedding cake. From art and music to the outdoors, your wedding cake can be the unique and striking centrepiece of your reception that is loved and remembered by their guests, who really see you as a couple in the design. Be yourselves, be different.

The 2015 Collection, Be Different, has five unique and inspiring cake designs in a range of sizes and structures to appeal to a range of couples with different styles of wedding.

Live Laugh Love is based on the work of Romero Britto, combining bold colours with black outlines and inspiring words.

Nothing Else Matters pairs black leather with lighter than air wafer paper and the lyrics from a classic Metallica song in sktched notes style around the base.

Rustic Chalk is a new take on the incredibly popular chalkboard cake, combining bleached wood with a vintage frame and pastel chalk flowers for a pretty meadow look.

Two for Joy is the most elegant, opulent of the designs with distressed metal, gold-edged flowers and ruffles, pearlised feathers and a pair of magpies for a beautiful finsihing sentiment.

Multi-award winning wedding cake design company Cakes by Beth have been featured in top National wedding magazines, such as You &Your Wedding, Perfect Wedding and Asian Bride, and on Top UK Wedding blogs. Beth has won multiple awards for her wedding cake designs. In 2015, she was named Best Wedding Cake Designer in the North West by The Wedding Industry Awards, and in 2013 was named the winner of The Balvenie Masters of Craft award for food and drink, sponsored by Waitrose. Cakes by Beth have delivered wedding cakes all over the UK and also regularly deliver wedding cakes to France, catering for French weddings with an English twist.

Based in Salford Quays in Manchester, Cakes By Beth designs luxury, contemporary cakes and dessert tables for special occasions, including weddings, civil ceremonies, birthdays and corporate events. Offering gorgeous flavours from the traditional Madagascan vanilla bean and double chocolate, to the more unusual Green Tea & Lemon, Raspberry Pavlova and Champagne & Strawberry, Beth is dedicated to edible perfection.

If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration and a ‘bridal’ day out then why not head to Bicester Village?

From Friday 6 to Sunday 29 March, Bicester Village will be transformed into a haven of all things bridal.

For the first time ever, a carefully selected team of wedding experts will be on hand to help brides-to-be design their dream day, including the UK’s top luxury wedding planner Mark Niemierko, specialist cake designers Princess Patisserie, and Tatler-recommended florists, Fabulous Flowers. In addition, the boutiques will be bursting with exclusive bridal collections.

Dream Dresses

A magnificent collection of bridal gowns will be available at Bicester Village for this limited period from designers including Oscar de la Renta, Chloé, Valentino and Temperley London, while experts will be on hand to assist brides in finding ‘The One’.

The Oscar de la Renta boutique will be transformed into a wedding emporium showcasing more than 90 beautiful, hand-finished bridal gowns alongside complementary accessories, while guests will also be able to discover hand-drawn sketches by the designer himself.

Chloé will showcase ten exclusive bridal styles from their wedding collection – all available to purchase.

At Temperley London, from 16 to 19 March, a bridal personal shopping specialist will be on hand to advise on the boutique’s selection of bridal wear, accessories and outfits for the extended wedding party.

Guests who purchase their bridal gown from Temperley London will receive an exclusive framed, hand-drawn sketch and personal note from Alice Temperley. With every bridal purchase of more than £950, guests will be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a £250 Temperley London Gift Card.

Perfect accessories

To complete the look, boutiques throughout the Village will be brimming with jewellery, lingerie, gifts and accessories.

At the La Perla boutique, guests can enjoy additional savings of 20% across a special edit of pieces including lingerie and swimwear, perfect for the wedding, honeymoon and beyond. Personal consultations will be available and guests can enjoy champagne and macaroons as they browse the collections.

Meanwhile, the Gina boutique will present an exclusive selection of bejewelled footwear, to add a touch of glamour to any bridal ensemble.

The Creative Director of jewellery brand Annoushka will make a personal appearance at the boutique to meet guests and advise on wedding jewellery.

The Links of London boutique will offer engraving on exclusive bridal pieces.

Especially for the event, Hearts On Fire – purveyors of ‘The World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond’ – will showcase a stunning 5.3 carat dream diamond set in an intertwining diamond-set band valued at £250,000.

The order of service

Acclaimed wedding planner Mark Niermierko, who has organised weddings for top celebrities, will make a special appearance on Friday 6, Saturday 14 and Thursday 19 March. He will host a series of talks on wedding ‘Do’s and Don’t’s’, bringing his team of experts with him to offer advice for arranging the perfect day. He will be based in the VIP Lounge and will welcome brides from 10 am to 3 pm.

Guests can come to the Village and snap a selfie against the ‘Just Married’ backdrop, marvel at the Wedding Dancers and upload pictures to social media channels.

To continue the celebratory spirit, guests can indulge in a special Luxury Champagne Afternoon Tea at Villandry Grand Café.

*Guests who pre-register for the bridal event will be entitled to special privileges including private events and use of the Bicester Village VIP Lounge, where they can discover floral installations and a selection of exclusive pieces from bridal specialists. To register, guests simply need to enter their details at BicesterVillage.com, after which they will receive a welcome pack including a brochure listing all participating boutiques, exclusive offers and a schedule of special events.

About Bicester Village

Bicester Village, one of the Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages by Value Retail, is located just 60 minutes from both London and Birmingham, and offers the UK’s leading luxury outlet shopping experience. With more than 130 outlet boutiques providing fashion and luxuries for the home, Bicester Village offers a unique selection of British and international brands with savings of up to 60% on the recommended retail price, seven days a week and all year round. Bally, Diane von Furstenberg, Missoni, and Tory Burch are just a few of the international brands present, as well as boutiques of British designers including Anya Hindmarch, Temperley London, Smythson and Vivienne Westwood. A suite of services includes the Shopping Express®, the daily coach service from London; an award-winning Tourist Information Centre; a children’s play area, valet parking, Hands-free Shopping, and a Personal Stylist. With a selection of restaurants and cafés, the Village has become a destination for visitors seeking a superior shopping experience and an enjoyable day out.

Mark Niemierko is Britain’s leading luxury event and wedding planner. His company, Niemierko, has arranged parties and weddings for Russian oligarchs, Premiership football players and high society London couples. A favourite with celebrities, he planned Rochelle and Marvin Humes’ Blenheim Palace wedding, and Julia and James Corden’s Babington House nuptials, and has overseen weddings with Royalty in attendance, such as the society wedding of Alexandra and Alexander Fellowes, at which Prince Harry was a guest.

Mark Niemierko also runs an eponymous wedding-planners’ academy at The Dorchester, Park Lane.

Fabulous Flowers offer a bespoke approach to designing wedding flowers, and by spending time getting to know their clients, they can translate personality and feelings into flowers.

Flowers are the one thing that can truly personalise a wedding and clients often tell Fabulous Flowers that the thank you letters from their wedding guests never fail to mention their amazing flowers. The Fabulous Flowers team are regularly called upon to provide designs for the top bridal and florist publications in the country, and are in high demand to teach and inspire florists across the UK.www.fabulousflowers.biz

About Princess Patisserie

Princess Patisserie is the life and love of Kelly Harries. Having given up the two hour daily commute from Banbury to London in 2011, Kelly breathed life into the dream she had since she was a little girl… to be in the kitchen all day long! Within weeks she had secured her very own production kitchen and the journey to baking heaven had begun. A number of years on and Kelly’s passion for high quality, insanely great tasting, utterly beautiful cakes is stronger than ever and her reputation for excellent service and compulsive perfection is known across the industry.